iPhone Air Plummets: Record Resale Value Decline in Weeks

SellCell’s latest trade-in analysis shows the iPhone Air is losing value faster than expected. In just ten weeks on the market, the Air’s used prices have tumbled — a signal that demand and resale dynamics for Apple’s newest trim aren’t lining up with launch expectations.

SellCell data: how deep is the drop?

SellCell compiled trade-in price data from more than 40 U.S.-based buyback companies across a ten-week window to track depreciation for the iPhone 17 lineup. The results put the iPhone Air at the sharp end of the decline:

• 256GB iPhone Air (MSRP $999): down ~40.3%
• 512GB iPhone Air (MSRP $1,199): down ~45%
• 1TB iPhone Air (MSRP $1,399): down ~47.7% (currently fetching about $668)

Those are steep losses in a short period — and they mirror heavy early depreciation seen with larger or less popular trims in prior cycles, such as the iPhone 16 Plus and certain 2024 models.

Is the Air an outlier within the iPhone 17 family?

Yes and no. While the iPhone Air is suffering the biggest declines, the rest of the iPhone 17 series is holding up better than some predecessors. On average, non-Air iPhone 17 models depreciated about 34.6% over the same ten-week span. Standouts include the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max, which fell just 26.1%, while the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro and the baseline 256GB iPhone 17 dropped roughly 32% and 33% respectively.

What this means for buyers and sellers

For buyers: falling resale prices can be a silver lining — used or trade-in deals may be more attractive soon, especially on higher-capacity Air models. For current owners thinking of selling: the earlier you list, the better the potential return, but shopping around among buyback services and carriers could help recoup more value.

Remember, resale value depends on several moving parts: initial demand, how each trim resonates with consumers, and competing offers from trade-in services. The SellCell snapshot is a useful early indicator, but depreciation can change over the coming months as market sentiment and promotions evolve.

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